Raptor Family Values Worth It?

AP Is Family Man And Good Guy Does It Matter To You?

Raptors have tried to sell this idea of good people and a family type atmosphere around the team. They have always preached the great values of the players they bring into the organization. In all honesty from a marketing perspective it is a smart thing to do. However the thing that can beat any marketing campaign is winning. No matter the values of players,management or coaches, if the team wins all is forgiven. This is the reality of sports and you can get on a moral high horse and say that is not right. However, right or wrong it is the reality. This is not to say that players like Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Anthony Parker and others are not good players and good people. However the fact they are good people has zero to do with what they do on the floor. They as a group are 3-8 in the playoffs and that is what matters ultimately to fans. Vince Carter did not over night become an arrogant jerk in Toronto. He was always a guy that thought highly of himself. He did do many good things in the community but the little things like signing autographs and interacting with the fans was never something he was known for. When the team won did you ever hear much about that? It wasn’t like it was a secret or anything. But when things are going well and you perform people will look the other way much more easily.

What is the point I am trying to make. At the end of the day what you do between the lines is what should matter most. The Dallas Mavericks were taken out of the playoffs in the same 5 games that it took the Raptors to get bounced. One of the things that became a sidebar issue in this series was some comments made by Josh Howard about his use of marijuana and that many others in the NBA were pot smokers. Damon Stoudamire would be among those based on his arrest over the drug after his time in Toronto. Mighty Mouse was a Raptor high on life in his time in Canada mostly likely. Howard as a basketball talent is a great defender and can score the basketball. He now has become public enemy number one in the NBA. At the very least in Dallas based on his honest comments made at a real bad time to make them. He would be the perfect answer for the Toronto Raptors at the small forward spot. So would the Raptors seek a trade with Dallas for this player? Given the way they have done business to this point you would have to say no. Even though from a basketball point of view it makes sense. I am not sure if that is right. I mean I am no a pot smoker and have never used drugs. I have friends that do and I really am not bothered by it in any way. They make a choice to do it and it is their life to live. If they worked for me would my opinion change? Yes, if it had an impact on the way they did their job. However if it did not I honestly would not care. I am not going to tell Chris Bosh not to have dinner with Dwight Howard anymore then I am going to tell Josh Howard not to smoke pot. If both show up and play the way they are expected to that is all I am concerned with from my stand point.

Another name that Eric Smith and the Dino Blogger have mentioned we both feel would be a good move for Raptors is Ron Artest. He is of course the poster child of NBA bad boy. The guy started a brawl and got the longest suspension in NBA history. Things have calmed down in life of Ron Artest since then. He has had some personal life issues that involved his young daughter. She had some serious medical issues involving cancer. Thankful his little girl thanks to modern medicine appears to be fine and going to live a normal life cancer free. Despite whatever you may think of Artest, I think everyone can agree that is a good thing. Unfortunately many of us have had Cancer impact on our lives through people we care about. I think if you have it is something that has a major impact on you view of life forever. Ron Artest being a human being would also feel that same impact that any average person would. I think it may have helped Artest put life in perspective in a new way. Sam Mitchell and Ron Artest has the potential to be a stormy coach/player combo. But it could actually be a marriage that will work. Do the Raptors ever make this move? Again based on the way this organization has acted in the past you would say no. I say why not.

The Toronto Argos of the CFL have always preached being a community friendly franchise. They have worked with youth in Toronto and worked in campaigns against gang violence and guns. This did not stop the Argos from bringing in Ricky Williams to play for the team. It has not stopped them from bringing in Andre Rison or most recently David Boston who was once suspended for steroids by the NFL. This has not stopped the Argos from doing good things in the community and attracting them support. So why not the Raptors?

I am not saying the Raptors need to go out of their way to find bad apples to bring into the fold. But I am saying that the player on the floor needs to matter as much as the values he has off it. If Josh Howard makes sense as a player on the floor and he isn’t showing up high to practice or games, he should be considered. If Ron Artest is staying out of the crowd during games and doing the things he needs to be an effective basketball player, he needs to be considered. If the goal is to win a championship you owe it to the franchise and it’s fans to do that. If the goal is to have a clean image and sell tickets that is fine. But you can not say you are trying to win a championship in the next breath. Character does count when evaluating a player. But talent counts for more to me. I can build some character in someone much easier then I can build talent in them. Andrea Bargnani I give you as exhibit A for you to consider. How is building talent in him going? Two years and counting.

The Raptors have not always had this high moral ground. 1995 Alvin Robertson was being investigate on a charge as the Raptors tipped of their first game. I do not recall the exact charge but it was of a domestic variety. Keon Clark ended up in a Jail cell and admits he played games drunk and high. I mean you can’t picture these guys doing T.V ads featuring Dora the Explorer like Parker can you. How bout Charles Oakley he punched out a guy at a shoot around and was suspended. When this team got bad the fans went away and crowds got smaller. It was only then that Raptors found this high moral ground. They had to do it to sell tickets. I don’t blame them it is smart marketing and makes sense. But now the fans are here the team has made two straight playoff appearances. Al Davis rules the day for fans, “JUST WIN BABY”. That is what Raptor fans want expect and demand. Will they care if Raptors win 50 games and they have added Howard and or Artest. I am guessing not likely. If you have any thoughts on this blog I would love to hear them. I think this is an interesting question that has lots of answers. In the end what matters more to you MORALS or WINS. Can you be honest and say wins? Do you honestly have the moral values that would not allow you to support the team even if they had success with players of low moral values? I don’t have those answers but would love to hear from you on what you honestly feel. I want to WIN and am willing to set aside my judgement of people to see that happen. I mean there is a limit to me as for all people. I do not want people that are murders on the basketball team. But a hot head and a pot head I can live with. Could You?

I have mentioned a few times about adding a new voice to the Dino Nation Blog. Well He is up and running and will share his content with the Dino Nation Blog on occassion as well as do his own blog. So please Go check out his blog.
THE RAPTOR CORE

Tags: Alvin Robertson, Anothny Parker, ARGOS, CFL, Charles Oakley, Chris Bosh, Damon Stoudamire, Eric Smith, Josh Howard, Keon Clark, MLSE, Raptor Core Blog, Ron Artest, Toronto Raptors